The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 20, 1993
Filed:
Jul. 30, 1991
Mark T Churchland, Vancouver, CA;
Trus Joist MacMillan, a Limited Partnership, Boise, ID (US);
Abstract
A system for the simultaneous application of pressure and microwaves to a thick mat of curable assemblies. As the curable assemblies are conveyed through a belt press, microwaves are applied to them through an adjacent, rapidly expanding applicator horn. A microwave-transparent ceramic dam or window across the outlet of the horn blocks the compressed assemblies from entering the horn. To minimize any heat cracking of the window it is formed of a number of pieces. These pieces are held in place at the horn outlet by one or more fins secured within the horn and extending into the window. The fins extend across the interior of the horn and divide it into a number of different microwave paths. The ceramic window pieces at the ends of the paths are carefully shaped, with a cylindrical rear surface, to act as lenses and to act on the microwave energy from each of the different paths so that the microwaves from all of the paths are in phase at the product interface. Air is pumped through a serpentine path in the window to cool it and help prevent cracking thereof. Applicator horns having different heating patterns can be advantageously used at different locations along the press bed.